Post-ERCP Pancreatitis and Serum Asprosin: A Potential Marker Associated with Beta Cell Damage

Aim: Asprosin is a protein produced by adipose tissue that has a significant function in regulating glucose metabolism. Inflammation in pancreatitis leads to beta cell damage and deterioration of beta cell functions. Recent studies have shown a relationship between asprosin and pancreatic beta cell damage. This research aimed to examine the association between pancreatitis developing after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and asprosin levels, which is also considered an indicator of beta cell damage. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 25 patients who developed pancreatitis after ERCP and 21 participants as a control group at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed through correlation of clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings. In addition, the post-ERCP pancreatitis group was classified as “mild” and “moderate-severe” according to disease severity, and asprosin levels were compared between the groups. Correlations between asprosin and biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed. Results: Serum asprosin concentrations were elevated in the post-ERCP pancreatitis group (p < 0,001). Amylase, lipase, GGT, AST, total and direct bilirubin levels also increased significantly in the pancreatitis group. In the pancreatitis group, a negative correlation was observed between asprosin levels and leukocyte (r = -0.433; p = 0.031) and lymphocyte counts (r = -0.440; p = 0.028). No meaningful correlation was observed between asprosin concentrations and the severity of pancreatitis (p = 0,347). Conclusion: In patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis, asprosin levels are increased, which could potentially be associated with the inflammatory response. However, asprosin does not seem to directly reflect disease severity. Therefore, asprosin can be considered as a new biomarker candidate associated with pancreatic beta cell damage and inflammation; however, Additional research is required to elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic role.